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Characterization of microbial contamination in United States Air Force aviation fuel tanks

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology

Abstract

Bacteria and fungi, isolated from United States Air Force (USAF) aviation fuel samples, were identified by gas chromatograph fatty acid methyl ester (GC-FAME) profiling and 16S or 18S rRNA gene sequencing. Thirty-six samples from 11 geographically separated USAF bases were collected. At each base, an above-ground storage tank, a refueling truck, and an aircraft wing tank were sampled at the lowest sample point, or sump, to investigate microbial diversity and dispersion within the fuel distribution chain. Twelve genera, including four Bacillus species and two Staphylococcus species, were isolated and identified. Bacillus licheniformis, the most prevalent organism isolated, was found at seven of the 11 bases. Of the organisms identified, Bacillus sp., Micrococcus luteus, Sphinogmonas sp., Staphylococcus sp., and the fungus Aureobasidium pullulans have previously been isolated from aviation fuel samples. The bacteria Pantoea ananatis, Arthrobacter sp., Alcaligenes sp., Kocuria rhizophilia, Leucobacter komagatae, Dietza sp., and the fungus Discophaerina fagi have not been previously reported in USAF aviation fuel. Only at two bases were the same organisms isolated from all three sample points in the fuel supply distribution chain. Isolation of previously undocumented organisms suggests either, changes in aviation fuel microbial community in response to changes in aviation fuel composition, additives and biocide use, or simply, improvements in isolation and identification techniques.

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Acknowledgments

A special thanks to the Air Force Petroleum Office, Detachment 3, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH for the support they provided throughout this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fuels Branch, Propulsion Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 45433, USA

    Michelle E. Rauch, Sophie M. Rozenzhak & Randell L. Kruger

  2. Department of Systems and Engineering Management, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 45433, USA

    Harold W. Graef & Charles A. Bleckmann

  3. Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Biotechnology Group, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, 45433, USA

    Rajesh R. Naik & Morley O. Stone

  4. UES, 4401 Dayton-Xenia Road, Dayton, OH, 45432, USA

    Sharon E. Jones

Authors
  1. Michelle E. Rauch
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  2. Harold W. Graef
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  3. Sophie M. Rozenzhak
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  4. Sharon E. Jones
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  5. Charles A. Bleckmann
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Correspondence to Charles A. Bleckmann.

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Rauch, M.E., Graef, H.W., Rozenzhak, S.M. et al. Characterization of microbial contamination in United States Air Force aviation fuel tanks. J IND MICROBIOL BIOTECHNOL 33, 29–36 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-005-0023-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-005-0023-x

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